Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili in a meeting with representatives from Sharon Live Foundation, Zoonotic Disease Unit, Athletics Kenya and the Kenya Veterinary Association, September 12, 2017. [Photo|Eddy Illah]
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili met representatives from Sharon Live Foundation, Zoonotic Disease Unit, Athletics Kenya and the Kenya Veterinary Association, Tuesday.The organisations have come together in partnership with the County Government of Kisumu in creating awareness about the effects and prevention of human rabies. The organisations are planning a series of activities across the county on World Rabies Day slated for September 28.There will be a pre-conference meeting on rabies on the September 27, followed by a 10km run in the morning and a mass vaccination of dogs at Jomo Kenyatta Sports ground the following day.Sharon Live On Foundation has a close working relationship with the National Rabies Elimination Strategy which aims at eliminating dog mediated human rabies by the year 2030 in Kenya. The strategy provides a guide for systematic reduction of rabies risk through sustained mass dog vaccinations, pre and post-exposure prophylaxis and public education until the country is completely free of dog-mediated human rabies.It is estimated that up to 2,000 human deaths due to rabies occur annually in Kenya. Achievements in eliminating human rabies have been due largely to strong cooperation between the health and the agricultural sectors, as well as with regional and international organisations, public and non-governmental organisations. A communication from the county government indicated the foundation was working in several other counties including Siaya, Nandi, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni."Kisumu County continues its strong partnership with non governmental organisations to advance our common goals," said Dr Owili.